Hundreds of people reported missing, 26 dead after mudslide hit Guatemala

Officials have estimated about 600 still missing and 26 dead

Hundreds of people are said to be missing after mudslides hit the capital of Guatemala as trapped victims text relatives from underneath tonnes of mud and rocks. Enormous chunks of hillside, loosened by heavy rain, tumbled on to a suburb of Guatemala city, the most populous settlement in Central America. Trapped victims who were buried by the sudden disaster late Thursday night have been sending frantic text messages to loved ones from underneath the rubble, as rescuers race to save them.

Officials had confirmed 26 deaths by Saturday morning, and estimate that 600 people are missing.
Alejandro Maldonado, head of Guatemalan disaster agency CONRED, told a news conference that as many as 600 people could still be missing after the disaster, which he said struck 125 homes.
Rescue operations are due to resume at dawn on Saturday. According to the BBC, messages and calls were still coming from those trapped, providing hope for their rescue.
Last month, the outgoing president Otto Perez was forced to stand down and was arrested on corruption charges.

Source: DailyMail